UMass Lowell Hockey

Colby Sedlier

Professor Julian Zabalbeascoa

F.Y.S.H Sec 303

22 September 2013

UMass Lowell Hockey

            The University of Massachusetts Lowell has been among the top growing and expanding schools within the United States with this year even welcoming its largest class of incoming freshmen. It has enhanced its facilities, faculty, curriculum, but most notably its athletic program. Moving up from Division II to Division I starting in the 2013 fall season has been among the largest accomplishments of the University. All athletic teams excelled in their 2012-2013 seasons pushing them up the ranks especially the UMass Lowell Hockey Team. They competed among the best of the best at the college level and made it to the Frozen Four where only the four most skilled teams in the United States are recognized. From their ability to succeed, as well as their fellow Riverhawks, the hockey team began their 2013-2014 season in Division I.

           

            As a currently enrolled freshman at UMass Lowell, I had the opportunity and privilege to witness the atmosphere the hockey team brings to the Tsongas Arena in which was purchased by the University within the last 5 years and is now home to the UMass Lowell hockey and basketball teams. As soon as I stepped within 100 yards of the arena, I could feel the pride that emanated from the students and fans waiting in line for their turn to finally enter the Tsongas. The crowds of people were donned fully in UMass Lowell attire ranging from sweatpants to scarfs and to hockey jerseys with each person wrapped up in the moment. I myself wore my relatively nerdy College of Engineering sweatshirt but hey, it represented UMass Lowell and that’s all that counts. As the crowds slowly poured into the arena it was finally my turn to swipe my ID and make my way to my seat.

           

            Before this event, I had been to several Boston Bruins’ hockey games. The fans at these games were plentiful and The Garden rarely had empty seats. I expected the Tsongas to be halfway full but I was completely incorrect. I walked up the stairs and turned to find my seat with the sight of thousands of people taking over almost every square inch causing me to stop and stare like a deer in the headlights. The amount of Riverhawk fans supporting their team was astounding and I felt like I was a part of it. I was in the same situation as everyone else; cheering on my team, my school, and my future. And as I eagerly waited for the players to take their positions, my heart pounded faster and faster with every winding second of the clock.

           

            It’s difficult to remember every single detail of the game because there was always something happening during every second. I couldn’t even tell you who won the first faceoff or who scored the first goal because the game was so fast paced. There were so many passes and plays that each team executed to perfection that my brain could just not process everything at once. And I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong Professor Z…I was not drunk, I’m just used to hitting a golf ball and focusing my mind on one shot at a time rather than 9 other men skating circles around me. Despite this lack of memory, there is one moment in which I will never forget.

            As the UMass Lowell front line skated towards the opposing goalie, which happened to be right in front of me, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I remember standing up while they skated closer and closer as if we were synchronized swimmers letting our bodies become one through the air and landing perfectly into the water seamlessly together. The crowd went silent as the puck flew through the air with tiny shards of ice slipping off with every circular rotation. The horn sounded and the crowd’s voice was heard.

There was applause, screams filled with emotion, and even some kisses being exchanged between loved ones. The student section was led by its Class President into a crazy cheer excitement involving everyone willing to follow. It was the first Riverhawk goal I had ever witnessed and I found myself jumping up in down with the rest of the fans with a big grin on my face. To put it simply, it was the greatest and most memorable experience in my college career so far.

            If it were not for this hockey team and their fellow athletes’ ability to perform, the University would not be as highlighted as it is today. They are a group of individuals who have boosted the school’s reputation and have, as one team, shed light for athletes in high school to put Lowell as a top university choice for a chance to don their very own Riverhawk jersey when their time comes. As a student at UMass Lowell, the pride that I feel for my school was increased just because of this one event. And overall, this experience was thoroughly enjoyable and hopefully there will be more like this to come in the future. 

Kerouac Adventure

Colby Sedlier

Professor Julian Zabalbeascoa

F.Y.S.H Sec 303

11 October 2013

Kerouac Palooza

            Over the last few weeks, the main focus of our first year seminar in honors class, otherwise known as F.Y.S.H, has been on Jack Kerouac. We have talked about his biography, impact on Lowell, and his ability to write. Kerouac is a native to Lowell who was, in his life time, viewed as a drunken bum. One could sum up his persona as being intoxicated and under the influence of marijuana quite often however, overall, he was a writer. Despite his long journey through life without a solid job or family to support him, he excelled through his writings. Kerouac’s pieces did not become well known until after he died so unfortunately, he never experienced the fame that they came with or the fame that resides within his name today. The writings of Kerouac and his overall brilliance in the art are now celebrated during the annual Kerouac Festival which is held in his home city, Lowell, MA. As a UMass Lowell student, I was lucky enough to witness his literary work, participate on a walking tour about Kerouac and experience the festival in his honor. In my opinion, from these three dedications to Kerouac, I believe that although he was a drunk and a dependent man, his ability to write deserves the praise that Lowell gives it.

            To begin our adventure with Kerouac, the class decided upon watching the recently released film of “On the Road”, a movie based on Kerouac’s book, rather than reading his work and frankly, I am unsure if this was the correct choice. The film focused more on the sexual aspect of Kerouac’s novel rather than his rich language that, as we were told as a class, exists within. I even questioned why the movie contained sex scene after sex scene after sex scene.

For example, I am almost certain that everyone remembers the scene depicted to the right yet I struggle to understand why it is a necessary scene. As a part of the audience, it seemed as if the producers wanted to focus more on Kristin Stewart and her body rather than Jack Kerouac and his writing. I feel as if the film was an insult to Kerouac and that the cast was just using his story to make money for themselves despite realizing what they were really doing to him.

            The Kerouac Walking Tour was next on the stop of our adventure. Our tour guide was well-rounded in terms of knowing about Kerouac. Based on the factual information that he threw our way, I feel it is safe to characterize him as an expert in all things Kerouac. He knew topics that ranged from Kerouac’s date of birth all of the way to certain passages that he remembered from his writings. The tour guide began at Kerouac’s origins and took us up to present day. He proclaimed that Kerouac was viewed as a drunk who thoroughly enjoyed the party scene which included drugs such as marijuana. However, despite the “booze” as the tour guide put it, Kerouac was brilliant when it came to writing. He knew how to make writing flow and how to describe a scene perfectly and vividly without directly stating it. After the initial discussion, our tour took off throughout the city of Lowell from the Grotto behind the Franco-American School. We were directed to where Kerouac was buried and even shown where his father worked. All things aside, the library was by far the most interesting place on our tour.

The library was where Kerouac spent most of his free time while writing as he pleased. The quaint and inviting atmosphere that the library emanated allowed me to picture Kerouac sitting at a desk while diligently studying or writing. In my opinion, this library is the reasoning behind why Kerouac was able to become the name that is praised today. It was the main area that he was able to focus in and just let his emotions flow through his writing.

            The final stop on the adventure of Kerouac ended on what Kerouac Festival Event each individual in the classroom decided to participate in. 

As for myself, I decided to attend the traditional pub tour. I was able to wander Lowell and see a portion of the pubs/bars that exist within the city. The first pub that we visited was actually the start of the tour. It goes by the name of the Worthern House Café. It is officially called a tavern and according to the information I received, it is over a century old. Why was this tavern so important and relevant to Kerouac though? Apparently it was THE location to go to for drinks especially for the university’s students including Kerouac himself! Living up to his name, he enjoyed the tavern in which I’m assuming was for its alcoholic beverages. Although I was not old enough to fully experience exactly what Kerouac did, the atmosphere of the tavern was lively and overall enjoyable. To wrap up this entire adventure, I would simply state that the city of Lowell wouldn’t be quite the same without the drunken image of a talented writer who goes by the name of Jack Kerouac.

Boott Cotton Museum

Colby Sedlier

Professor Julian Zabalbeascoa

F.Y.S.H Sec 303

6 September 2013

 Boott Cotton Museum

           

To be quite frank, my experience at the Boott Cotton Museum in Lowell, MA was something out of the ordinary. The experienced took me back almost an entire century as soon as I stepped into the main room of looms. The tour began in this main room where the noise was overwhelming despite there only being about a tenth or less of the machines functioning. Our tour guide struggled to capture our attention while attempting battle his voice against that of the looms. I cannot even begin to imagine the ringing in the workers ears each and every time they left the workplace. Not only was I lead on a tour of where hundreds of immigrants manned assembly machines and looms, I actually was forced to walk in their footsteps. Along with my fellow classmates, I was placed at a station that resembled an assembly line and was put in charge of a certain job. The goal of the exercise was to reenact what the workers went through in their everyday lives. The experience went so in depth that the “overseer” even made sure to play his part by keeping us in line and focused on our work.

During our visit, I noticed that the entire museum was organized in a manner similar to the old mills. There have been minor renovations such as the elevator and fresh coats of paint but the museum staff and city of Lowell have done their best to keep their depiction of the history very accurate. To add to the organization, the design and layout of the factory and the dormitories have been preserved as well. As far as the physical location of the mills, it seemed to be among the outskirts of the city rather than right in the middle. I am sure that this is because they would have rather had more inviting shops and industries closer towards the center to attract the attention of the citizens more. Despite its physical location, the cotton mills were a perk to the city of Lowell grasping attention from hundreds of immigrants in need of work to provide for their families.

The mills were used mainly for one thing; the production of cotton (threads) into cloth. The work was tough within the factory as workers risked injury while working long hour shifts sometimes lasting twelve

hours (the time from sunrise to sunset). This was because the machines worked at rigorous paces and if a worker lost focus either from drowsiness or from not being able to see since they relied on natural light, then a finger or even a hand could be lost. Although dangerous, the work had to be completed because the cloth was a main export in Lowell’s history. To simply state it, the mills were a main source of money within the city with their products ranging from cloth for blankets to everyday hand towels and dish towels. As of today, unfortunately, the mills are no longer in business and have been transformed into what is now known as the Boott Mills Museum (the museum we visited in fact). The factory has been changed into a museum for a reason which brings up the question, why?

I believe that the museum has been created because the cotton industry was popular in the city of

Lowell and has contributed to how the city runs and how it is perceived today. Immigrants from all over would come to Lowell for a chance at work especially at the mills. I feel as if this acceptance of different genders, races, ethnicities, etc. has been carried on through Lowell’s history. If you look at Lowell today, there is a wide variety of cultures, races and ethnicities whose roots sprouted from the workers at the mills. One could say that the mills are a main influence for how Lowell is populated today.

To conclude my experience about the Boott Cotton Museum, there was not much that jumped out and surprised me. The one aspect about my visit that surprised me and left me asking questions was the technology that existed within the looms. I was shocked to see how complicated a simple cloth machine could be. Not only were they complicated, they were very dangerous. The pin shot back and forth at speeds up to forty miles per hour so with one slip, the worker could be injured leaving them out of a job and physically unable to work. I praise the workers within the mills because if it were not for their dedication to twelve hour work days and overcoming the fear of injury, Lowell would not be the city that is today.